Second layer of bristol with each corresponding window square lightly indicated.

You add your own art materials such as marker, crayon, colored pencil, collage, glitter, and paint to create the colorful scene, and surprises behind the windows. The bristol art board can handle mixed-media as shown in our sample painting photo.

Start by creating your colorful woodland scene. Next, create your 24 1.25" square window surprises on the second paper. These can be drawings you make, photos or pictures you cut and paste on the square, tiny collages, lines of poetry, love notes, compliments, thank yous and wishes for the new year! What an amazing way to say thank you for a year filled with life!

Once your artwork pages are complete, apply enough glue, but not too much, to the outside quarter-inch edge of your surprises page. Line up the two page layers just right and secure in place by pressing together along your glued edge. Add a hole at the top to hang, or lean against the wall on a shelf. Starting December 1, carefully open the window marked for each day of advent. It can be necessary to coax the window slightly to open by supporting from the back and sides. Be sure to write your name and date on the back of your calendar. Save to display and remember each year!